Director Mira Nair laughs off suggestions about casting Shashi Tharoor in any of her upcoming films

Before becoming an acclaimed filmmaker, Mira Nair used to be part of the theatre circuit during her younger days in Delhi. And she often shared the stage then with Shashi Tharoor who was pretty active in theatre scenes too.However, almost four decades later, the director feels she'd rather not cast the rather good-looking diplomat-turned-politician in any of her projects.

Both of them have a background in theatre. Nair once played Cleopatra to Tharoor's Antony in a 1974 production of Antony and Cleopatra. A few months ago, Nair quipped in an interview that she used to eat onions before kissing Tharoor onstage as she thought he was pompous.

On learning this, the current Member of Parliament instantly made it clear via social media that he pretend-kissed her with his back facing the crowd.

This piece of anecdote proved to be a humorous flashback as both personalities went on to become inspirational achievers in their respective fields. Interestingly, Tharoor was recently offered a role in a Bollywood film which he politely declined.


While talking to MiD DAY- about her upcoming film The Reluctant Fundamentalist which features a long list of theatre actors - Nair was stumped to be asked whether she'd cast Tharoor in any of her films.

The New York-based auteur director initially laughed and denied the possibility but then added, `I don't wish to create unnecessary controversies as we are very good friends and we both go back a long way. Even though I'm aware of his early acting interests, I don't think I'd offer him a role today. Besides, he's an active parliamentarian and must be too busy to act in a film.`